Ask any charitable organization and they’ll tell you the most precious commodity to come by these days is time. Folks are much more likely to write a check or put together a bag of clothes to donate than allot any of their time to a particular cause.

But the men and women of our county’s volunteer fire departments are different.

It’s my opinion that the world is rarely black and white. Usually issues, especially ones that are social in nature, fall somewhere in the gray middle. And that’s a scary place. Most of us don’t like to operate in shades of gray because black and white is so much easier.

So here’s something I’ll never understand on any level — why would anybody want to surrender themselves to the lure of a dangerous drug like heroin?

I felt astounded by the news that Northern Kentucky — a place I’m familiar with due to having family and friends across the Ohio in Cincinnati and having lived there myself — leads the nation in heroin abuse.

Last month the Secretary of State’s office announced that the Republican Party has grown by 4 percent in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Still the minority party in the state, the GOP is growing in voter registrations, and on a steady climb upward.

This past Saturday evening at the 2014 Lincoln-Reagan Dinner, I was pleased to announce that Henry County is no exception to the increase.

In fact, in the past four years, Republican Party voter registration has risen over 10 percent.

Graduating is weird. Seriously, it’s one of the most bizarre ceremonies we, as human beings take part in. We wear some ugly robes and hats, trudge across a stage, take a piece of rolled-up paper from some other robe-wearing goons and-voila!-you’re an adult.

Scenic roads, beautiful landscapes, grazing cattle, friendly and hard-working people are just some of the reasons why I like living in Henry County. Often we take for granted the many assets that this county has to offer, but if we want to bring more business into our county, we need to promote our county. All of us should have community investment in the future of our county’s growth.

This morning the dust is settling, and after a long campaign season, we have discovered who the winners of partisan primaries are. Those who will advance to the general election in November, and a few who have actually won their elections.
To those who have won their primary and face no opposition in November, congratulations.
The time has come for winners and losers to come together and focus on fighting the common foe.

May has been an exciting month for our cities around the county. Campbellsburg is making real progress in finishing the Community Center, Pleasureville is looking forward to the opening of the Amish Restaurant for lunch only on May 30, Eminence has McDonald’s opening on May 29 at 5 a.m. and the Eminence Apothecary has its doors open as well. New Castle is looking forward to the new drug store being open, and Henry County has much to offer to any who might want to check us out.

When the Local reporters go to city council and fiscal court meetings, more often than not, we are the only citizens there. And I honestly feel as though it is the job of the newspaper to attend these meetings and let our readers know what’s going on. We’re happy to serve our readership in that capacity.

Sometimes, though, I wish citizens would take more interest in local government. I certainly don’t expect folks to attend all those monthly meetings, but there is one simple thing people can do to take part in their local government – VOTE.

Let’s take a look at one of the most under appreciated civic improvements ever — the public sidewalk.

These concrete walkways serve the citizens in a surprising variety of ways.

Consider: They can be used as places to exercise; as approaches to our commercial cores downtown; as a self-guided tour of our architecture and historic places — for example, as a vantage point to study an interesting old train station; or as a place to find an excuse to multitask and bask in the sunshine.

Have you ever heard a situation summed up in one word that couldn’t be put any better in a lengthy speech?

In my 19 years as a reporter, I couldn’t count the number of “Times” that’s out there on the banner of periodical print products. It’s probably also not news to readers that more than a few publications named “the news” exist.

But there’s only one informational outlet that I’ve ever found called “the Local.”